Canberra poised to offer Jack Wighton new contract worth close to $3 million
Canberra are wasting no time in their quest to re-sign star five-eighth Jack Wighton on a long term deal with the club preparing a multi-million dollar offer.
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Australian and NSW star Jack Wighton will see in the New Year with a new contract offer worth $2.7m – and a capacity to earn $3m.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, club CEO Don Furner and Wighton’s manager, Matt Rose, have held a top-level meeting about re-signing the Canberra champion.
Another meeting has been planned for early New Year with the club hoping to have Wighton nailed down by the NRL season kick-off in March.
It is understood Wighton, 26, will be offered around $900,000 a season by Canberra – an increase on his current contract.
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With $30,000 in match payments for State of Origin and $20,000 for Test matches, Wighton could earn more than $1m a season with rep honours.
While no contract length has been discussed, it is anticipated Wighton would be offered a three-year term, starting after next season when his current deal expires.
Wighton, the 2019 Clive Churchill Medal winner, rejected an option at Canberra for 2021 – worth about $750,000 a season - to test himself on the open market.
While Canberra is aware rival clubs will show considerable interest, it appears more likely than unlikely Wighton would stay at the Raiders.
Well-placed sources close to Canberra claim the first meeting between Stuart, Furner and Rose was “positive.”
Wighton could chase more money at Canberra but the Raiders did notice South Sydney’s refusal to increase their offer to Cody Walker and the Roosters decision to brush off Latrell Mitchell’s push for addition cash.
There were suggestions Wighton would push for a $1m a year deal but the Raiders offer may be capped at a healthy $900,000 per season.
The Canberra five-eighth has a strong respect for Canberra coach Ricky Stuart and played for NSW in all three State of Origin games this year, excelling in each. He also played two Tests for the Kangaroos in the end-of-season Oceania Cup.
Wighton was a key member of Canberra’s 2019 side which surged into the NRL grand final.
A new three-year deal would keep Wighton at Canberra until the end of 2023. He would be 30-years-old.
Wighton recently employed Rose as his manager. Had Wighton accepted the 2021 option, his former manager, Paul Sutton, would have secured the commission, not Rose.
“Jack loves Ricky Stuart and he’s been able to develop such a good relationship, not only with the coach but also he’s brought the team along with him,” Rose told Sydney radio.
In October, Wighton gave a hint about his future by telling the media: “I love Canberra. It’s the place I call home.”
Team-mates believe Wighton will retire one day a one-club champion at the Raiders.
Canberra has three other quality backs coming off contract after next season – Jarrod Croker, Nick Cotric and Joey Leilua.
There have been suggestions Canberra wanted to lock down John Bateman long-term but the Raiders point out their English forward is already under contract until the end of 2021. Bateman is currently holidaying with family back in England.
Originally published as Canberra poised to offer Jack Wighton new contract worth close to $3 million